What is the Bullington Center and its purpose?

Published: Monday, March 2, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 10:45 p.m.

Every so often a longtime resident of Henderson County stumbles upon the Bullington Center and expresses surprise at its existence. Perhaps itís time for a reintroduction. Bob Bullington moved here in 1970 to establish a nursery on 12 acres of land after his retirement as a New York City policeman. His nursery was as much about promoting ideas concerning the trade as it was about producing plants. His strong penchant for educating people about plants and plant propagation led to his place becoming a horticultural education center upon his death 20 years ago. Eventually a partnership between the Henderson County Education Foundation, Henderson County Public Schools and N.C. Cooperative Extension in Henderson County formed to oversee the center.

Since then, the Bullington Center has slowly emerged as a place that offers programs and inspiration in the areas of gardening and other related topics to school children and adults each year.

The gardens

Bob Bullington was a plant collector and many of the trees and shrubs he accumulated to landscape around his home are very unusual. There has been a strong effort led by dedicated volunteers to restore the old gardens and create new ones over the years. Currently there are separate gardens featuring herbs, perennials, shade plants, and butterfly plants, as well as a rain garden and native woodland garden which also lead into a nature trail. Our newest effort for which we are still developing and seeking funds is a therapy garden designed specifically for the active participation of people with disabilities. The gardens are open for visitors Monday through Friday until 4 p.m.

The programs

In the past 10 years, programs for elementary school children have anchored the educational efforts at Bullington. Students attend one of several programs that are aligned with the gradesí science curricula. From learning how pumpkins grow, to growing school vegetable gardens, to using plants to understand math principles, the programs are intended to be a fun, hands-on complement to instruction done in the classroom. Our spring program, Plant Explorations, is by far the most popular, with 1000 children expected to participate. This yearís focus will be on the relationships ó both harmful and beneficial ó of plants and insects.

For six years the BOOST program has been an important aspect of the school programs at Bullington. Each week, special-needs high school students from the four county high schools work on the grounds and gardens in an effort to develop basic work skills. The highlight of this program is the annual garden competition in which each school group designs, grows plants for, and implements ornamental gardens as they vie for the Best Garden award. Programs that educate adults about all facets of gardening and related topics have increased over the years due to a strong interest in gardening in the community. Upcoming programs include Irrigation Systems for the Home Landscape on March 24 presented by John Deere Landscapes, and Perennials for the Mountain Garden by Raymondís Nursery on March 31. There are fees with most programs; details about each are on our Web site, www.bullingtoncenter.org.

In the past several months a new program has begun at Bullington which uses plants in activities as a vehicle for well being. Horticultural therapy can be used to improve the condition for any number of disabilities. Currently we are bringing this program to the elementary schools for exceptional children. We look forward to hosting more groups in this activity, especially as the therapy garden progresses and becomes the primary setting for this program.

The Bullington Center is a community-supported effort, Henderson Countyís own botanical gardens and a place where one can be stimulated and find a relaxing, peaceful setting. Among our fundraising activities is a plant sale on April 24 and 25. Please call the Bullington Center, 698-6104, to find out more.

<p>Every so often a longtime resident of Henderson County stumbles upon the Bullington Center and expresses surprise at its existence. Perhaps it’s time for a reintroduction. Bob Bullington moved here in 1970 to establish a nursery on 12 acres of land after his retirement as a New York City policeman. His nursery was as much about promoting ideas concerning the trade as it was about producing plants. His strong penchant for educating people about plants and plant propagation led to his place becoming a horticultural education center upon his death 20 years ago. Eventually a partnership between the Henderson County Education Foundation, Henderson County Public Schools and N.C. Cooperative Extension in Henderson County formed to oversee the center.</p><p>Since then, the Bullington Center has slowly emerged as a place that offers programs and inspiration in the areas of gardening and other related topics to school children and adults each year.</p><h3>The gardens</h3>
<p>Bob Bullington was a plant collector and many of the trees and shrubs he accumulated to landscape around his home are very unusual. There has been a strong effort led by dedicated volunteers to restore the old gardens and create new ones over the years. Currently there are separate gardens featuring herbs, perennials, shade plants, and butterfly plants, as well as a rain garden and native woodland garden which also lead into a nature trail. Our newest effort for which we are still developing and seeking funds is a therapy garden designed specifically for the active participation of people with disabilities. The gardens are open for visitors Monday through Friday until 4 p.m.</p><h3>The programs</h3>
<p>In the past 10 years, programs for elementary school children have anchored the educational efforts at Bullington. Students attend one of several programs that are aligned with the grades’ science curricula. From learning how pumpkins grow, to growing school vegetable gardens, to using plants to understand math principles, the programs are intended to be a fun, hands-on complement to instruction done in the classroom. Our spring program, Plant Explorations, is by far the most popular, with 1000 children expected to participate. This year’s focus will be on the relationships  both harmful and beneficial  of plants and insects.</p><p>For six years the BOOST program has been an important aspect of the school programs at Bullington. Each week, special-needs high school students from the four county high schools work on the grounds and gardens in an effort to develop basic work skills. The highlight of this program is the annual garden competition in which each school group designs, grows plants for, and implements ornamental gardens as they vie for the Best Garden award. Programs that educate adults about all facets of gardening and related topics have increased over the years due to a strong interest in gardening in the community. Upcoming programs include Irrigation Systems for the Home Landscape on March 24 presented by John Deere Landscapes, and Perennials for the Mountain Garden by Raymond’s Nursery on March 31. There are fees with most programs; details about each are on our Web site, www.bullingtoncenter.org. </p><p>In the past several months a new program has begun at Bullington which uses plants in activities as a vehicle for well being. Horticultural therapy can be used to improve the condition for any number of disabilities. Currently we are bringing this program to the elementary schools for exceptional children. We look forward to hosting more groups in this activity, especially as the therapy garden progresses and becomes the primary setting for this program.</p><p>The Bullington Center is a community-supported effort, Henderson County’s own botanical gardens and a place where one can be stimulated and find a relaxing, peaceful setting. Among our fundraising activities is a plant sale on April 24 and 25. Please call the Bullington Center, 698-6104, to find out more.</p>